Local farm families honored

Two area farms recognized as Century Farm Families by local MU Extension

Three Adair County families were recognized for their efforts to support their longtime family farms and drive to continue the tradition of agriculture in their own families and beyond.

The Adair County MU Extension hosted its annual Century Farm Family and 4-H recognition dinner Tuesday at Jacob's Winery in Adair County.

At the dinner, local farmers and ranchers Patrick and Ashley McCarty; Nick and Cheryl Pitts; and Lynn Henning of Lance Farms; all received plaques honoring their commitment to the land and their families.

The Pitts family was also selected as the Adair County Missouri State Fair Farm Family and represented Adair County in Sedalia earlier this summer.

"We had a really good time at the fair," Cheryl Pitts said. "We got to go and have a really good time as a family."

The Pitts operate a small livestock operation in Adair County but modestly say they don't resemble your typical farm family.

"We live the farm life but we're not purely farmers," Pitts said.

The Pitts are also extensively involved in the local 4-H clubs and are active ambassadors for the farm life.

"We just love the lifestyle," Pitts said. "We want to keep it going and encourage other kids to get involved."

Both the McCarty and Henning families can also understand what it means to be a non-traditional farm family, with the McCartys about six years into a family-based cattle operation and Henning set to turn her family's farm back to agriculture after years of the conservation reserve program.

"All the cards fell into place," said Ashley McCarty of operating the family farm about six years ago. "I grew up following my grandpa and grandma on the farm and it instilled in me a love of cattle and farming."

Run by herself and husband Patrick, the farm is located in southwest Adair County and has been a part of McCarty's family for more than 100 years.

McCarty's grandmother Dolores Sparks was also on hand for the ceremony. She emphasized the personal family history in the farm and its future.

"You have this tradition and this connection to the land," she said. "It's heartfelt and important that stays in the family as hallowed ground."

Lance Farm owner Lynn Henning echoed that sentiment, explaining that after years of being a geriatric nurse in St. Louis she is looking forward to running her family farm.

"I love the farm," she said. "I just love the farm. I want to be there all the time."

Henning, who's family has owned the farm for more than 150 years in southern Adair County, said she's attracted to not only the family history but also the peaceful way of life on the farm.

"The farm tells us our history, what we can grow and not grow and what we can do," she said.